Have something to add? Similar discussions for: Integrating cos(2x)*cos(6x)

  • Thread starter Thread starter ThomasMagnus
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Integrating
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral of the product of cosine functions, specifically ∫cos(2x)cos(6x)dx. Participants are exploring different methods to solve this integral and comparing their results with an answer key.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants attempt integration by parts and express concern over discrepancies between their results and the answer key.
  • Others suggest using trigonometric identities to simplify the integral, questioning the equivalence of their derived expressions with the answer key.
  • There are discussions about whether integration errors have occurred and the implications of dropping factors during calculations.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with each other's methods, providing feedback on potential errors, and suggesting alternative approaches. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of trigonometric identities, and there is acknowledgment of the need to verify the correctness of derived expressions.

Contextual Notes

Participants express a preference for avoiding memorization of formulas, which influences their approach to solving the integral. There is also a reminder about the forum's rules against providing complete solutions, emphasizing the learning process.

ThomasMagnus
Messages
138
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



∫cos(2x)cos(6x)dx

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



When I do this one, I seem to get a different answer than my book. The book uses a product to summarize formula, but I hate memorizing formulas and want to do this without it. Here's what I did:

Let u=6x then du=6dx

(1/6)∫cos(u/3)cos(u)du

Integration by parts: 1/6[cos(u/3)sin(u)+(1/3)∫sin(u/3)sin(u)du]

Integrating (1/3)sin(u/3)sin(u) gave: (-1/3)sin(u/3)cos(u)+(1/9)∫cos(u/3)cos(u)du

Call ∫cos(u/3)cos(u)du “I”

(I)=cos(u/3)sin(u)-(1/3)sin(u/3)cosu+(I/9)

(8/9)I=cos(u/3)sin(u)-(1/3)sin(u/3)cosu

I=(9/8)cos(u/3)sin(u)-(3/8)sin(u/3)cosu

I= (9/8)cos(2x)sin(6x)-(3/8)sin(2x)cos6x +C = ∫cos(u/3)cos(u)du=∫cos(2x)cos(6x)

The answer key has: (1/8)sin(4x)+(1/16)sin(8x)+ C

Are these equivalent or have I messed up?

Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
ThomasMagnus said:

Homework Statement



∫cos(2x)cos(6x)dx


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



When I do this one, I seem to get a different answer than my book. The book uses a product to summarize formula, but I hate memorizing formulas and want to do this without it. Here's what I did:

Let u=6x then du=6dx

(1/6)∫cos(u/3)cos(u)du

Integration by parts: 1/6[cos(u/3)sin(u)+(1/3)∫sin(u/3)sin(u)du]

Integrating (1/3)sin(u/3)sin(u) gave: (-1/3)sin(u/3)cos(u)+(1/9)∫cos(u/3)cos(u)du

Call ∫cos(u/3)cos(u)du “I”

(I)=cos(u/3)sin(u)-(1/3)sin(u/3)cosu+(I/9)

(8/9)I=cos(u/3)sin(u)-(1/3)sin(u/3)cosu

I=(9/8)cos(u/3)sin(u)-(3/8)sin(u/3)cosu

I= (9/8)cos(2x)sin(6x)-(3/8)sin(2x)cos6x +C = ∫cos(u/3)cos(u)du=∫cos(2x)cos(6x)

The answer key has: (1/8)sin(4x)+(1/16)sin(8x)+ C

Are these equivalent or have I messed up?

Thanks!

cos(A+B)=cosAcosB-sinAsinB
cos(A-B)=cosAcosB+sinASinB

Add these two equations together and see what you get.
 
Chestermiller said:
cos(A+B)=cosAcosB-sinAsinB
cos(A-B)=cosAcosB+sinASinB

Add these two equations together and see what you get.

This turned out to be better than I thought. Much better than the mess above. I'm still kind of frustrated that the long way didn't work :(
 
It can perfectly well be that your expressions are equivalent!

To find THAT out, simply use on your own expression the formula sin(a)cos(b)=1/2(sin(a+b)+sin(a-b)), and compare.
If your answer deviates from the answer key's by merely a constant of integration, your original expression was correct as well.

If they do NOT equate, you have made some trivial integration error somewhere.
 
ThomasMagnus said:
Integration by parts: 1/6[cos(u/3)sin(u)+(1/3)∫sin(u/3)sin(u)du] ... Are these equivalent or have I messed up?
You messed up. You dropped that factor of 1/6.

I= (9/8)cos(2x)sin(6x)-(3/8)sin(2x)cos6x +C = ∫cos(u/3)cos(u)du=∫cos(2x)cos(6x)

The answer key has: (1/8)sin(4x)+(1/16)sin(8x)+ C
Incorporating that factor of 1/6 into your answer yields ##\frac 3{16} \cos(2x)\sin(6x) - \frac 1{16} \sin(2x)\cos(6x) + C##, and that is the same as the answer key.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person
D H said:
You messed up. You dropped that factor of 1/6.


Incorporating that factor of 1/6 into your answer yields ##\frac 3{16} \cos(2x)\sin(6x) - \frac 1{16} \sin(2x)\cos(6x) + C##, and that is the same as the answer key.

lol this usually happens when I do long things like this. Thanks!
 
Here is what I have done :

First of all I would like to remind you that cos(s)cos(t) = [cos(s+t) + cos(s-t)]/2

∫cos(8x)+cos(4x) / 2 dx = 1/2 ∫cos(8x)+cos(4x) = sin(8x)/16 + sin(4x)/8 + C

Best Regards
 
Pixardaki_Lamba said:
Here is what I have done :

First of all I would like to remind you that cos(s)cos(t) = [cos(s+t) + cos(s-t)]/2

∫cos(8x)+cos(4x) / 2 dx = 1/2 ∫cos(8x)+cos(4x) = sin(8x)/16 + sin(4x)/8 + C

Best Regards
Isn't that what I said in post #2?

By the way, you need to resist the temptation to provide the complete solution, since that is a violation of Physics Forums rules.

Chet
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
4K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K